Original vs Service Comex Dials

[etp]

I was just looking through some Comex models, and noticed Rolex has shipped service Comex dials. The white gold around the lumes threw me until I found this example.

The watch was sent to Rolex UK for a service in January 2001 where it received a new COMEX dial, hands, bezel and bracelet clasp.

This watch is fitted with what's known as as 'service' dial. It's a genuine Rolex part that is not available to the public and can only be fitted to watches that were originally issued to COMEX divers. This watch was one of the first batch issued which did not have COMEX dial. It would have originally been fitted with a slightly modified 5513 dial.

What is the perception of these service dials? The originals I know are extremely rare. What does the service dial do for the value?

Rolex, the more you know, the more you don't know.

[scooba]

Value , I think Service Dial kills the value , Still valuable but not as valuable

Maybe ask Haywood or Mike W

They will know

[Boaters]

Haywood will set it straight for sure.

[Mike Wood]

Many Rolex Submariner 5513 and 5514 watches supplied to Comex in the early 1970's were fitted with standard "civilian" 5513 dials which did not carry the comex logo.

When the watches were returned through Comex for servicing, Rolex upgraded many of the watches by fitting comex logo dials in place of the non-comex logo dials.

This continued into the 2000's, and the service dials were now white gold surround / glossy background dials. However, by this time, a comex logo dial would only be fitted (on an exchange basis) where the watch was already fitted with a (-damaged-) comex logo dial, so it was not possible for non-comex logo dials to be upgraded to comex logo dials.

Although a service comex logo dial is considerably less valuable than an original period comex logo dial watch (the price differential is something like 40%), a comex watch without a comex logo dial (such as the early 5513s or 5514s) is less valuable again still.

I am very happy to own and wear several comex 5513 and 5514 watches with service logo dials (service logo dials are now obsolete and no longer available from Rolex), as they are very practical and, most importantly, the dial identifies the watch as a comex watch.

MW

[Johny]

Thanks Mike. That was very interesting.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Mike Wood

Many Rolex Submariner 5513 and 5514 watches supplied to Comex in the early 1970's were fitted with standard "civilian" 5513 dials which did not carry the comex logo.

When the watches were returned through Comex for servicing, Rolex upgraded many of the watches by fitting comex logo dials in place of the non-comex logo dials.

This continued into the 2000's, and the service dials were now white gold surround / glossy background dials. However, by this time, a comex logo dial would only be fitted (on an exchange basis) where the watch was already fitted with a (-damaged-) comex logo dial, so it was not possible for non-comex logo dials to be upgraded to comex logo dials.

Although a service comex logo dial is considerably less valuable than an original period comex logo dial watch (the price differential is something like 40%), a comex watch without a comex logo dial (such as the early 5513s or 5514s) is less valuable again still.

I am very happy to own and wear several comex 5513 and 5514 watches with service logo dials (service logo dials are now obsolete and no longer available from Rolex), as they are very practical and, most importantly, the dial identifies the watch as a comex watch.

MW

Great information Mike

[Filipão]

This is why I love this forum. Thanks MW

[colpol]

Thanks for posting up that reply MW